The New Silk Road

China's global reach and influence have made them a true global superpower, a status they are determined to widen ever further through the construction of a complex set of interconnections between Asia and all of Europe. This is one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects of the modern age. In the two-part documentary The New Silk Road, two journalists examine the intricacies of its construction, the Chinese interests that are likely to benefit most from it, and the citizens along the route who are bracing for its disastrous impact on their way of life.

In the first part of the documentary, the filmmakers travel from the bustling metropolis of Shenzhen, China to Pakistan. The idea of merging the East and West might sound idyllic and harmonious on the surface. But upon closer examination, the cracks begin to show. In Cambodia, residents speak of feeling like strangers in their own home. "The Chinese have taken over our city," one confesses. Rents are increasing, and pushing out native citizens in favor of more affluent Chinese visitors. Crime is on the rise and the local authorities are stretched thin.

The film's second segment follows the route from Kyrgyzstan in central Asia to West Germany's Duisburg. The construction of new infrastructure represents a double edged sword for many. In spite of the Chinese investments, the cities that dot this route are suffering mounting debt and environmental issues as a result of these intrusive elements. Questions emerge as to the true intention of the Chinese in constructing these passages. Are they truly aimed at opening trade and other opportunities between neighboring nations? Or are there possibly more nefarious motives at play involving military domination? Suspicions abound, but none feel empowered enough to slow the forward thrust of "progress".

By land and sea, the filmmakers behind The New Silk Road travel thousands of miles to uncover the truth behind the facade. Along the way, they visit a number of sites that still harbor echoes of the ancient Silk Road network, and encounter everyday citizens who are caught between the promise of revitalization and the potential for despair.

4 Comments / User Reviews

Kaka Singh G, as whole nation u r confirmed terrorists, see ur occupied Kashmir, what are you doing with the whole innocent people n u r calous. Next will be the target of Modee is ur tribe i. e. Sikhs. ⌛double giggle.

This is one of the series of propaganda efforts against Chinese development initiative. American and western businessmen are spending sleepless nights because of this. What the western multinationals invested in Pakistan was McDonald, KFC, Nestle, Lever Brothers, etc. who are here just to capture our consumer market. They did nothing for our infrastructure development. China on the contrary is lying the foundation for future development in the shape of Roads, power projects, Special Economic zones, communication networks. We are not myopic in understanding all this.

You guys can't do anything on your own. You just relax and others will work for you, the Pakistan Mentality. You are responsible for your own menace. You guys don't have a proper foundation of democracy and the top officials are corrupted and lazy. You guys know that you are going under more debt, right? Who will invest in a country who doesn't guarantee that they can return the money. You also haven't solved Terrorism and deny it. You were vetoed by China last year on the FATF meeting. This year before the assigned FATF meeting you have started filing fake FIR against the Terrorist to at least show something on the council. Good Luck to you, hope it works out for you guys *giggle*.

Gunther
- 08/18/2019 at 17:36

Funny how the West didn't think about developing the Silk Road after the fall of the Berlin Wall.